Three women were seen working as cleaners and staff in a shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui, while the man was working in a restaurant in Tuen Mun

Three Vietnamese women and an illegal immigrant of Vietnamese origin were sent to jail for 15 to 18 months by Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on Saturday after they were convicted of working illegally and using forged HKID cards and copies of false instruments in Hong Kong.

The defendants, aged from 28 to 63, were arrested on July 5 and 6 during police operations in a shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui and a restaurant in Tuen Mun, Oriental Daily reported. The women were seen working as cleaners and general staff at those sites.

The three Vietnamese women had claimed to be refugees and were allowed to stay in Hong Kong but not work. Aside from working illegally in Hong Kong, they were charged with using forged HKID cards and copies of false instruments.

Meanwhile, a Vietnamese man was also charged with illegally entering Hong Kong and working in the city.

All four people were given jail terms of 15 to 18 months.

Two employers who allegedly employed the four Vietnamese were also arrested last week. Police are still working on their case.